Observations from Wednesday's 104-65 loss to the Bobcats at Times Warner Cable Arena: An awful, embarrassing, humiliating start, as the Heat fell behind 22-6, with the Bobcats making nine of their first 11 shots. There are just too many times when this team does not look ready to play. Way too...

Not sure what the answer is, but it the vets don't think they need to earn their minutes, its pretty obvious that will cause problems.
Spo is at a cross-roads, he has two teams. He has a young team with energy and wants its chance, and he has a team that is experience that seems built for winning now as appose to later.
With the "2010 FA", I'm not sure the young team really is the answer, but with the Richardson really undersized at SF, Beasley so much better than Haslem, and O'Neal so off/on with defense and rebounding...
I think Spo needs to FINALLY settle on a line-up and roles...these are what I suggest.
PG: Alston (26mpg)
SG: Wade (35mpg)
SF: Wright (35mpg)
PF: Beasley (34MPG)
C: Magloire (28MPG)
with just 3 other rotational players (Arroyo PG:22, Richardson SG:13/SF:13, Haslem C:20/PF:14)
8 man rotation, other than an injury, that's it. The starters play their set position and the other 3 fill in so the starters can get some rest.
I believe we really are falling behind, because 30+ games into the season we still don't have a steady rotation....forget this hot hand thing, that's a in game move...players play better in a role with standard minutes.

Observations from Wednesday's 104-65 loss to the Bobcats at Times Warner Cable Arena: An awful, embarrassing, humiliating start, as the Heat fell behind 22-6, with the Bobcats making nine of their first 11 shots. There are just too many times when this team does not look ready to play. Way too...

I am okay if Spo wants to play Haslem as a closer every game.
I can handle that.
What I can't handle, is that Spo seems unable to get Beasley (our 2nd best player) 32+ minutes game in and game out at POWER FORWARD!
Its not hard. If you don't plan on using him in the final 8 minutes of the game, then you take that into consideration, meaning Beasley should be 34 AT PF of the first 40 minutes of the game. So you figure Haslem can be PF the last 2 minutes of each quarter (in the fourth he gets the last 8 minutes). Haslem can get more minutes at someone elses expense, not Beasleys.
You don't take Beasley out for foul trouble as he won't be on the floor for most of the 4th anyways. If he gets 4th foul and its still the 2 quarter, sure take him out til the 3rd...but that's about it.
He needs to get his time to develop without feeling this huge hook just waiting for a reason to pull him.

Q: If the Gilbert Arenas' plea deal leads to the voiding of his contract by the Wizards, does that not present a major threat to the Heat for the 2010 free-agent frenzy, as it gives Washington space to sign a max free agent? -- Stan. A: Considering where the Wizards are right now, and considerin...

I am okay if Spo wants to play Haslem as a closer every game.
I can handle that.
What I can't handle, is that Spo seems unable to get Beasley (our 2nd best player) 32+ minutes game in and game out at POWER FORWARD!
Its not hard. If you don't plan on using him in the final 8 minutes of the game, then you take that into consideration, meaning Beasley should be 34 AT PF of the first 40 minutes of the game. So you figure Haslem can be PF the last 2 minutes of each quarter (in the fourth he gets the last 8 minutes). Haslem can get more minutes at someone elses expense, not Beasleys.
You don't take Beasley out for foul trouble as he won't be on the floor for most of the 4th anyways. If he gets 4th foul and its still the 2 quarter, sure take him out til the 3rd...but that's about it.
He needs to get his time to develop without feeling this huge hook just waiting for a reason to pull him.

Observations from Friday's 115-106 victory over the Rockets at the Toyota Center: Road to ruin? Not this trip. Saturday in Oklahoma City now becomes a huge swing game, as the six-game excursion comes to a close, with the Heat 3-2 so far. The Heat became the first team to win in Houston since ...

Again I listed 5 centers this year that are having Shaq type numbers of 05-06. Which of these players would yuo list as SUPERSTARS? Kaman, Duncan, D.Lee, Lopez, and Jefferson?
There are plenty of others that deserve to be up there as well put I left them off because they weren;t close in one but way over on the other catagory: D.Howard.
My point is as far as what Shaq gave us that year, there were plenty of players that give us those type of things that we never called SUPERSTARS....You want to say that year he was a SUPERSTAR, because he was the decade before.

In the wake of Monday's 29-point loss in Utah, security asked the media to wait at an outside hallway at EnergySolutions Arena, instead of the interview area directly adjacent to the Heat locker room. One of the attendants said the request was made by a member of the team's staff. Considering ho...

"It's alright Josh, what duncan does isn't that impressive. According to A New Day over a dozen players a year average 20 and 10, and it's not that impressive."
Oh no, he said 'dozenS' - meaning multiples of twelve. So it's not just over a dozen, it's well over 20, and perhaps more than 30 players in the league doing it yearly. Basically, if you're over 6'9 and in the NBA, and you're not getting 20/10, you should probably think about a new career.
Posted by: ReppingNZ
Good Lord...I'm talking about the type of player that gets close...we are talking about the quality of player above someone that can flash a card...saying I'm close to a 20/10 player. They are dozens of those type of players.
Example....D.Lee has better numbers this year that Shaq had that year...is D.Lee a SUPERSTAR then?

In the wake of Monday's 29-point loss in Utah, security asked the media to wait at an outside hallway at EnergySolutions Arena, instead of the interview area directly adjacent to the Heat locker room. One of the attendants said the request was made by a member of the team's staff. Considering ho...

Actually no you didn't, your own quote is in that post.
Posted by: Adam
Correct, now read the following posts...wher I said close to....and again you referred Shaq as a 20/10....and he was only close to...20.0/9.2.

In the wake of Monday's 29-point loss in Utah, security asked the media to wait at an outside hallway at EnergySolutions Arena, instead of the interview area directly adjacent to the Heat locker room. One of the attendants said the request was made by a member of the team's staff. Considering ho...

In the wake of Monday's 29-point loss in Utah, security asked the media to wait at an outside hallway at EnergySolutions Arena, instead of the interview area directly adjacent to the Heat locker room. One of the attendants said the request was made by a member of the team's staff. Considering ho...

There are DOZENS of players that get 20/10. Most of them are not superstars.
Posted by: A New Day | January 12, 2010 at 01:44 PM
LOL, wow, just wow. 20 and 10 players are the most rare thing in the NBA. Only 3 to 4 guys a year do it. You lost any and all credibility with that statement.
Posted by: Adam
First off I said "close to"...as we were talking about Shaq...and he didn't make 20/10 either (he was 20.0/9.2
So, my question to you, is D.Lee a SUPERSTAR? he is 18.9/11.0 this year?
As a matter of fact, there of 32 teams 5 centers have numbers very similiar that Shaq had that year...and this list don't even have some of the best centers such as D.Howard, Y.Ming.
Kaman 20.4/9.4
T.Duncan 20.0/10.4
D.Lee 18.9/11.0
B.Lopez 18.6/9.6
A.Jefferson 17.8/9.3
That's just centers.

In the wake of Monday's 29-point loss in Utah, security asked the media to wait at an outside hallway at EnergySolutions Arena, instead of the interview area directly adjacent to the Heat locker room. One of the attendants said the request was made by a member of the team's staff. Considering ho...

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

tank and hope for Melo the next year...that doesn't work, do the same for CP3/Deron Williams in 2012.
It's gonna get real ugly around here if 2010 doesn't work out.
Posted by: The Watcher (The blog is more divided than team)
You ready for another tank year...and if Melo doesn't come here... another tank or two?

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

So wait... Dwight Howard wouldn't be a superstar because he plays bad offense and shoots 50% from the free throw line?
Posted by: Heat-Struck
He plays as good offense as Shaq did (not the same points, but even more effecient) that year and he is a defensive player of the year type player. He also shoots 60% for the floor, has OVER 13 rbs a game and about 2.5 block s a game.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

I was just saying that the team you put together was inaccurate. After signing Joe Johnson, we would still have enough money to add pieces.
Posted by: Heat-Struck
Agreed, we would probably have about $6M afterwards, but I also kept players we have on our team, which would be most of that extra money. I believe that Riley would bring some of our current players back, than lump it all into 1 player than have 10 min salaried players.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

LA one star? What is Pau Gasol? Hell they just got Artest, a star. Detroit is the only example, and that won't happen again anytime soon.
Posted by: Adam
Up until AFTER they won, NO ONE EVER considered Paul a SUPER-STAR. He is a All-star to be sure, a great player....but no one put him in the top 15 players in the league.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

We won with one superstar? News to me, while shaq didn't play well in the finals, he was still a superstar..and 20 and 10 basketball player. You don't get numbers like and aren't considered a star. LA one star? What is Pau Gasol? Hell they just got Artest, a star. Detroit is the only example, and that won't happen again anytime soon.
Posted by: Adam
There are DOZENS of players that get 20/10. Most of them are not superstars. He also played BAD defense and shot roughly 50% from the free throw line...he WAS NOT a superstar...he was barely an all-star that year....BARELY.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Sorry, but this is inaccurate. If we sign Joe Johnson to a max with Wade signing back on, we still have enough money left over to get Haywood and Camby. It works if Camby takes the vet. minimum.
Posted by: Heat-Struck
Not likely...we're going to get both at great deals?...its a dream world (possible so VERY unlikely)...if we got Haywood though...this would be our team.
PG: Chalmers / min vet
SG: Wade / Cook
SF: J.Johnson / min vet
PF: Beasley / min vet
C: Haywood / min vet
okay, now compare that to:
Mike Bibby / Jeff Teague
J.Johnson / Crawford
M.Williams / Evans
Josh Smith / Zaza Pachulia
Al Hartford / Haywood
Oh and the Hawks offer more money and more guarenteed years.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

We won it with one. Detriot won with none. The Lakers won it last year with just 1.
If you are talking superstars...you only need 1. You need to have a 2nd option that is a an all-star level...and you need a good 3rd best player...Atlanta is pretty close and if Smith fianlly gets his stuff together, they are there.
Pho is a much weaker team when in a 7 game series. Denver makes 6.
Lakers, Boston, Cavs, Orl, Denver, Atl....that's 6.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Look, maybe this whole 2010 FA thing works out....I'm just not a beating man, not when if we strike out, we're looking at losing Wade....then what would our team look like?
Assume we have almost $40M in space (assume we can't get Wade, LeBron, Bosh, Amare, Dirk, or Boozer). As a non-contender, make sure not to put the cheap vets on our team as you know they go to contenders.
We would have Beasley, Cook, Chalmers, J.Jones and about $35 to $40M in space...what is a likely end game for the lose of the main FAs and the following lose of Wade?

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Atlanta is nowhere near a top 6 team in the league, and they are far from being a contender. The Hawks will only have money to sign Joe Johnson next year and a MLE, so pretty much with that team, is what you are going to get next year.
He would have a chance to play next to a superstar, or stay with a franchise (who he has already criticized this year) with a bunch of good players.
Sorry, if I'm joe I take my chance with a superstar teammate then a team of young guys who can't figure it out.
Posted by: Adam
They are a top 6 team in the league....they are contenders...AND they are young and getting better every year.
You also forget, if he signs with us (assuming Wade also signs), there is a good chance they the remaining players on the team are barely going to be above D-League talent...so we won't be contenders for a few years either.
PG: Alston / Arroyo
SG: Wade / Cook
SF: J.Johnson / Diawara
PF: Beasley / Randolph
C: Anthony / Magloire
vs the Hawks plus another $6M dollar player.
Which would you choose? and now remember the Hawks can offer more $ and for more years!

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

I agree. He's already on a team that's very young and almost a contender. He's not going anywhere. Our best shot is getting Lebron, because he's on a very old team with no future that's in complete win now mode. If the Cavs fail this year, it's very likely that Lebron leaves for a team that gives him the best chance to win a title, which means Miami. I think there is a very strong chance Lebron signs with the Heat next season.
Posted by: Heat-Struck
No, I believe he will either a) resign with the Cavs or b) Use the threat of leaving for nothing to get to a preferred destination (such as Denver: Billups, LeBron, and Anthony anyone)...and if he's going to sign as a FA, I would guess the Nets.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

I'm telling you right now the Heat will have to settle with Joe Johnson as their big free agent signing. Which isn't a problem if the Heat sign a shot blocking center as well.
Posted by: Adam
Joe is the main man on a top 6 team in the league...why would he want to leave money on the table to leave for the a 500 club. He's done that before and now he's had to wait thru all the growing pains to get to theis point, he's not leaving.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...

I say he is an improvement...because when he actually handles the ball (which he did except the Clippers game), we get the ball into sets that don't start and end with Wade. JO is getting more touches, Richardson is getting used in the block more often, Beasley is getting much better touches...he even got his first untouches dunk off in a half court set this year...why, because there was penetration and a dish. I do think Alston needs to do it more...but even once, it was beautiful to see. Hope to see it even more in the future.
Wade doesn't need Alston to set him up, he can create for himself...its like the triangle offense...its a 3 player offensive game...it had Pippen and Jordon weren't the 2 in there, it was the other 3 on the floor.
BTW...Wright is playing well as a back-up PG.

Q: I'm sorry, but Rafer Alston has not made us better. He looks old and slow and has made Carlos Arroyo look like Deron Williams in comparison. -- Moshe. A: The problem is the Heat can scroll all it wants through the league's inventory of B-list point guards, but it still has nothing to contend ...